Sari Style : Throughout the Years

Sari Style


Saris are the long piece of fabric draped and worn by Indian women. The origins of the sari is not quite clear. I will have another post that goes in depth of the sari, its origins, and its diversity throughout India/Bangladesh. I will illustrate  the sari throughout the decades and the transformation of styles according to my observations.

 50s
The golden days. The good old times. The fifties mark a turning point in Indian fashion with the rise of Bollywood. 

 The fifties style is undoubtedly classic and conservative. Blouse colors are solid, simple, and just reach the elbow or longer. The sari its self is also simple solid or have a border made from luxurious cottons and fancy silks and chiffon. Jewelry would be comprised of pearls in any fashion or simple pendant necklaces and stud earrings.For a modern twist on the style, pair it with a brown belt which will flatter the color you choose or add wrist length gloves. 

 As for the make up, it is classic. A strong thick arched brow paired with top lined eyes with curled lashes. The absolute trademark of the fifties are the red colored lips. Hair was mostly short and curled. If hair had long length it would be wavy with a deep part.

60s
The sixties style takes a complete turn. This decade was all about glitz and glamor.  

The sleeves of the blouse became shorter and sleeveless. Bright colored flowing saris. Embroidery and bits of glitter were the main details to be shown off. The saris were paired with heavy glitzy jewelry such as hanging earrings and choker type necklaces. Long white gloves can be paired with this style.

Glamorous make up. Rimmed eyes with winged liner. Heavy coated lashes. Soft lips. And blush. Eye brows still thick and strong but more rounded than arched. Shimmer was very much welcomed. The hair was short with volume or long put into a a fancy up-do with lots of volume.

70s

The seventies: Loud yet natural.

  Simplicity was back in the draping. Bold prints were in style often worn with mixed and matched colors. The saris which were preferred were mostly cotton or georgette. Jewelry was either left minimal or none at all except a pair of hoop earrings. If a woman were to wear jewelry it would be all gold (earrings, necklace etc..).

 Straight ironed sleek hair. Simple make up. Very heavy rimmed eyes. Little mascara. Nude natural lips. Eyebrows became thinner but still rounded and natural.

80s 
Eighties...back to getting all dolled up.

 Puffed sleeve. Monochromatic colors. Shiny fabric. Deeper colors. Matching jewelry/ chunky. The hair was either left natural or done puffy with voluminous curls.

The make up became heavy again. Everyone broke out their eyeshadow. The eyes were lightly rimmed with curled lashes with emphasis on eyelids. Lips were colored with a dark shades of reds. Stronger eyebrow came back but softer and natural shape.

90s 
 The nineties were Simply done. 

The saris were solid simple colors. Blouse and sari were all the same color. Loose fabric. Simple plain jewelry. There is not really any noticeable detail. The hair was simple as well.

Make up consisted of lightly rimmed eyes with light mascara. Lip color became toned down to dark almost neutral colors. Eyebrows were thinner with an arch.